Artificial intelligence should not only analyze, but also measurably improve value creation. This is precisely where two new BMFTR funding guidelines come in: InProKI for innovative production systems and ModuS-KI for new AI key capabilities in trade, commerce and industry. For companies, universities and research institutions, this opens up the opportunity to put AI solutions into practice in a targeted manner or to systematically prepare new skills. Anyone planning a joint project should act now: The deadline for project outlines is May 22, 2026.
What is behind AI-integrated value creation?
The two announcements are part of the BMFTR topic area "AI-integrated value creation". This refers to AI that is not developed in isolation, but has a direct impact on operational processes, products, production systems and services. The focus is therefore not on abstract demonstrators, but on economically relevant applications with recognizable benefits for companies.
This is interesting for companies because both formats rely on cooperation. What is needed are alliances between business and science that bring together application proximity, technical feasibility and economic prospects.
InProKI: Bringing AI into production
The "Innovative production systems through AI integration (InProKI)" funding guideline aims to optimize industrial processes and make complex systems more manageable. The focus is on flexible, efficient and resilient value creation systems as well as productivity-enhancing AI applications for next-generation products, production systems and product-service systems.
What exactly does InProKI promote?
The announcement addresses in particular
AI-based production systems and intelligent manufacturing processes
the integration of AI into existing production environments
the demonstration and transfer of innovative AI solutions into industrial applications
Practical relevance is important for project selection. Joint projects with industrial participation are envisaged, and the applicability must be demonstrated in real production environments. In addition, projects must take into account at least three specific, clearly defined and value-added AI use cases to increase productivity. Purely new or basic developments of AI algorithms, on the other hand, are not the focus.
Who is InProKI suitable for?
InProKI is particularly relevant for companies that already have data, processes and fields of application and now want to take the step towards industrial implementation. Typical initial questions are:
Where can productivity be measurably increased with AI?
Which three use cases can be bundled into a consistent project?
How can the demonstration in real production be organized?
ModuS-KI: systematically preparing new AI capabilities
The second guideline, "AI modules for key skills in trade, commerce and industry (ModuS-KI)", is designed differently. Funding is provided for pre-competitive collaborative projects between business and science that identify, evaluate, research, develop and prototype new, previously unachieved capabilities of AI applications. The capabilities must be relevant and economically significant for typical use cases in the respective sectors.
What happens in the first phase of ModuS-KI?
The exploration phase is not initially about the large-scale roll-out, but about robust preparation. The announcement mentions, among other things
Development of a concept for an AI module
Identification of transferable use cases
Discussion of solution options and feasibility analysis
Survey of R&D needs and the property rights situation
Networking for a solution ecosystem
Development of an implementation concept
Assessment of market potential and economic viability
The exploration phase is carried out by a small network: a company that focuses on the technical solution and two to three research institutes or universities. This makes ModuS-KI particularly exciting for players who want to set up a new AI capability in a strategically, technically and economically sound manner.
What framework conditions should interested applicants be aware of?
The submission deadline for both guidelines is 22.05.2026. There is also a two-stage application process. The funding rate for companies is typically up to around 50% (depending on the size and type of project), for universities and research institutions up to 100%, with project durations of max. 36 months.
Text: Fabian Balle
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As a Project and Network Manager at EurA I support companies in topics related to funding for innovations. I understand the high dynamics in the IT sector with many novel technologies, especially in the field of artificial intelligence, as a challenge, at least demonstrated by the great potential of ChatGPT. I see it as particularly exciting to identify specific funding opportunities for clients' technological research and development projects and to support them throughout the entire process.
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